Vehicle loading and storage system for wheeled containers

ABSTRACT

A vehicle loading and storage system for storing and loading containers within the body of the vehicle comprising a plurality of rows of tracks on at least two levels, each row of tracks being capable of storing a plurality of wheeled containers, and an elevator for raising the containers from ground level, or from a platform, to the height corresponding to the tracks for a given level. The tracks are foldable, or stowable, so as to make the vehicle convertible from the container carrying configuration to a conventional configuration. The folding configuration employs a plurality of track supporting members which pivot against the side wall of the vehicle. They are maintained in their supporting position by legs which also fold, and partially retract, to allow a compact folding action of the entire track structure against the side of the vehicle. The stowable configuration employs vertical members which are carried on an overhead longitudinal bar in the use position and stowed on a second overhead longitudinal bar adjacent the side of the vehicle in the stowed position.

United States Patent Blount Aug. 14, 1973 VEHICLE LOADING AND STORAGEPrimary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza SYSTEM FOR WHEELED CONTAINERSAssistant Examinerl..awrence J. Oresky [76] Inventor: Bobby J. Bhum 530La Rue way, Attorney-Carl R. Brown and Neil F. Martin El Cajon, Calif.22 Filed: Mar. 19, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 214/75 T, 108/48,211/90, 214/l6.4 R [51] Int. Cl 360p l/44 [58] Field of Search 214/75 R,75 T; 108/48; 211/90 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,685,972 8/1954 Eisenhard et a1. 214/75 G 2,771,331 11/1956 Messman108/48 2,833,608 5/1958 Tobias 108/48 3,090,514 5/1963 Black, Sr. et al.2l4/83.24 3,142,396 7/1964 Pauley et al.. 214/75 T 2,530,341 11/1950Satsky 214/75 T 2,804,218 8/1957 Sylvester et al 214/l6.4 A 3,168,9592/1965 Chandler et al. 214/517 Zfi- ,|2

Appl. No.: 126,136

A vehicle loading and storage system for storing and loading containerswithin the body of the vehicle comprising a plurality of rows of trackson at least two levels, each row of tracks being capable of storing aplurality of wheeled containers, and an elevator for raising thecontainers from ground level, or from a platform, to the heightcorresponding to the tracks for a given level. The tracks are foldable,or stowable, so as to make the vehicle convertible from the containercarrying configuration to a conventional configuration. The foldingconfiguration employs a plurality of track supporting members whichpivot against the side wall of the vehicle. They are maintained in theirsupporting position by legs which also fold, and partially retract, toallow a compact folding action of the entire track structure against theside of the vehicle. The stow-able configuration employs verticalmembers which are carried on an overhead longitudinal bar in the useposition and stowed on a second overhead longitudinal bar adjacent theside of the vehicle in the stowed position.

1 Claim, 11 Drawing Figures Mam!!! PATENTED MIR 14 ms SHEET l 0F 4 Fig.ll

INVENTOR.

BOBBY J. BLOUNT ATTORNEYS VEHICLE LOADING AND STORAGE SYSTEM FOR WHEELEDCONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wheeled carts or containers arefrequently used, in many applications, to move a wide variety ofarticles from one point to another within a manufacturing facility,storage facility, or processing facility. These containers serve manyuseful purposes within the facilities. They are of a size which makes itpossible for one man to push them about, and therefore are adaptable toa variety of handling tasks. In some instances they may be stationednext to a work space to receive a particular persons work output.

The U.S. Post Office Department and other mail handling facilities areexamples of users of this type of cart. These facilities use these cartsin large numbers to move bulk mail and packages from one station toanother within a post office building. If often becomes necessary toship the contents of these carts to another mail handling facility.Where the distances involved are not too great, the shipment isfrequently accomplished by using a road vehicle. The normal practicewhen making such a shipment has been to load the mail from the cartsinto a number of sacks and thereafter to load the sacks onto the truck.At the destination post office, or other facility, the sacks must thenbe moved from the truck, and frequently the further processing which themail will undergo, will dictate that the mail again be placed in carts.

Thus, the existing system for handling mail involves a considerableexpenditure of time to effect the transfer of package and bulk mail fromone facility to another since the mail must be moved from a containerused within the post office facility, i.e., a cart, to a secondcontainer, i.e., a mail sack, and then again placed within carts uponarrival at the second facility. Additionally, the handling of the sacksis difficult, since they have no integral provision for wheels or othermeans which would facilitate their movement. Their handling thereforerequires a large expenditure of man hours.

Thus it is desirable to have a system for transporting mail or otherarticles which will reduce the handling time and associated labor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The system of this invention makes it possibleto ship the carts or containers used within a facility directly, byproviding for their efficient loading and storage within the body of avehicle. The invention combines an elevator with container supportstructure to make it possible to load a plurality of levels of the cartswithin the vehicle body. Two exemplary embodiments of the storagestructure are presented, both make provision for the utilization of thevehicle's interior to carry conventional cargo without substantialinterference from the cart supporting structure.

The structure of both embodiments incorporate track means which supportand guide the wheels of the carts longitudinally of the truck body andthereby provide additional levels of carts to fully utilize the interiorof the truck body. The invention includes an elevator uniquely adaptedto the handling of carts, and other wheeled containers, as required inthe practice of the invention. The elevator is capable of raising cartsfrom ground level or from the level of a loading dock, to the elevatedlevel of carts within the truck bodies. The

carts may then be pushed from the elevator onto the supporting rails.The elevator incorporates a frame, mounted for vertical movement, onrails adjacent the rear opening of the truck body. The frame carries apivotally connected platform which is movable from a vertical position,for use during vehicle operation, to an extended position, where it issubstantially horizontal for receiving the containers. A stop preventsrotation beyond the horizontal position.

The elevator is raised and lowered by two cables, that extend verticallyfrom the frame, over a pair of pulleys at the top of the vehicle, andthen to a suitable actuator, such as a hydraulic hoist, which may belocated, for example, under the truck body. The elevator platform is ofsufficient length to carry the same number of carts as there are rows ofrails, so the carts can be raised to the level being filled, and pushedfrom the elevator platform to the track supports.

The support structure of the first embodiment of the invention isfoldable for storage and is most suited to a vehicle body which hassufficient height to carry only two levels of carts. On each side of thetruck there are a plurality of track support members which are pivotallymounted at their outboard ends. The members are supported in theirhorizontal or supporting position by a series of folding legs whichpivot, from a nested position to a supporting position, and include anextendable portion which locks into place to support the member. Thetrack support members on both sides of the truck can carry at least apair of tracks. The tracks comprise L-shaped channel members which arespaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing between the wheelsof the carts so as to form a support therefor, and have their verticallegs arranged to maintain the carts on the tracks. If vehicle widthpermits, a third row of carts may be carried by incorporating a thirdchannel member on each series of track support members extendinglongitudinally of the truck body to carry a plurality of carts at eachrow, on each level.

A second embodiment of the invention utilizes a modified cart supportstructure. This structure also has a supporting position and a stowedposition but eliminates the need for track support members and carriesthe tracks on the sides of the vehicle and on vertical members which arecarried by a bar mounted on the vehicle roof. The vehicle may beconverted, from the configuration utilized for carrying carts, to thatutilized when it is desired that the interior of the vehicle be open forloading of conventional cargo such as mail bags. The conversion isaccomplished by moving the vertical members, on one or both sides, fromthe supporting bar to a storage bar located adjacent the sidewalls ofthe vehicle body. This movement leaves substantially the entire interiorof the vehicle free for the loading of conventional cargo.

Both embodiments may employ a transition ramp, which bridges the gapbetween the outboard ends of the tracks and the elevator platform. Thetransition ramp is movable from an extended to a retracted position,whereby it may be retracted out of interference with the door mechanismwhich may be, for example, a sliding roll top door.

Both embodiments employ joints and connections which do not require theuse of wrench type fasteners and so may be converted from the cartcarrying to the conventional configuration without the use of tools, andin a minimum of time.

A vehicle employing the features of the invention may be loaded bysimply backing it up to a loading dock or ground level loading facilityand wheeling the carts or containers onto the elevator platform. If, forexample, the vehicle uses three across rows of carts, three carts wouldbe pushed onto the ramp in approximate alignment with the tracks on theramps and the elevator mechanism actuated to raise the platform andcarts to the approximate alignment with the transition ramps of thelevel being loaded. The ramp would then be extended into the immediateproximity of the elevator platform and the carts pushed by hand onto therails. Additional carts would be loaded to the level in a similar mannerwith the added carts forcing the earlier positioned carts further intothe truck body, until the level is entirely full of carts. The otherlevels of the truck would be loaded in a similar manner, until thevehicle has reached its full cart carrying capacity. Where vehicleroad-width restrictions result in an aisle in the center of the vehiclewhich cannot accommodate carts, this area may be loaded withconventional mail sacks or other cargo. Similarly, in vehicles which arecapable of utilizing their full width for cart storage, it may still bedesirable, in some circumstances, to carry a mixed cargo. In this case,the support structure in one-half of the vehicle is stowed along thevehicles sides and the volume thus freed, utilized for the conventionalcargo.

Trucks utilizing the vehicle loading and storage system of the inventionhave been tested for their efficiency in transporting wheeled carts. Astudy testing this concept, was conducted by the Post Office Department.It determined that, in a metropolitan post office, and the surroundingarea, many thousands of work hours could be saved in a typical'two weekperiod. Additionally, the study determined that the vehicles utility fornormal operation was substantially undiminished.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improvedvehicle loading and storage system for wheeled containers.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improvedvehicle loading and storage system which reduces the man hours requiredto move a plurality of articles, from one location to another, when roadvehicles are employed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improvedvehicle loading and storage system that is adaptable to convert existingvehicles to more efficient operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improvedvehicle loading and storage system which does not substantially diminishthe vehicle's capacity for normal operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improvedvehicle loading and storage system which is low in cost and easy toinstall in a vehicle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improvedvehicle loading and storage system which is adaptable to the raising ofthe containers from loading levels of varying heights above ground.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improvedvehicle loading and storage system which is susceptible of combined,normal, and container only operation.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upona reading of the following detailed description and an examination ofthe drawings,

wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a typical van type vehicle showingone cart arrangement.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing an alternativearrangement for a narrower vehicle.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the external cart elevator.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 7, showing the elevatorplatform folded.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternativecart arrangement.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a firstembodiment of the invention incorporating folding support structure. Thestructure is mounted in the body portion of a vehicle or truck 10.Supported within the vehicle are a plurality of containers or carts 12.The vehicle body is shown to include sidewalls 14 and 16, a roof portion18, and floor portion 20. The folding cart support structure includes aplurality of rail support members 22 and 24 mounted along both sides ofthe vehicle interior. The mounting comprises a pivotal connection tovertical support members 26 and 28. The rail support members aremaintained in their supporting position by foldable legs 30 and 32 whichhave retractable extensions 34 and 36. The rail support members, and thesupporting structure are prepared for the folded condition by retractingthese extensions through the use of the quick release 39, illustrated inFIG. 6. The quick release includes a pin 41 which is spring held by leafspring 43 in a bore through the leg 30 and extension 34. The upturnedend 45 of spring 43 is utilized to remove the pin, from at least thebore through extension 34, to permit the retraction of the extensionwithin the leg 30. This reduces the overall length of the legsufficiently to allow it to nest within the confines of the tracksupport members, as illustrated in the full line section in FIG. 5.

The rail support members of FIG. 1 are illustrated as carrying threerails on each side of the vehicle. Rail support members 22 carry a pairof rails 38 and 40 for a first row of carts and in addition the railsupport members carry a third rail 42 which is utilized in conjunctionwith the third rail 44 carried on rail support member 24. Rail supportmembers 24 also carry rails 46 and 48. The rails are all similarlyconfigured of generally L-shaped channel members and have a horizontalor wheel supporting leg, as in leg 50 of rail 38, and a vertical orguide leg, as in leg 52, of rail 38. The rails extend longitudinally ofthe truck body as can best be seen in FIG. 1 or in the sectional view inFIG. 4. FIG. 4 also illustrates the second hole 54 in the extensions 34used for maintaining the extension in the retracted position.

The modification of FIG. 3 utilizes substantially the same structure asthat depicted in FIG. 2 but is particularly adapted for use in vehicleshaving insufficient width to accommodate three rows of carts. In thismodification, the rail support members 56 and 58 support only a pair oftracks. Rail support members 56 carries tracks 60 and 62 and railsupport member 58 carries tracks 64 and 66. The rail support members arepivotally mounted in the same manner as those in FIG. 2 and utilize legs68 and 70 which include retractable extension 69 and 71 to permit thedevice to fold in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIGS. and 11, there is illustrated a second embodimentof the supporting structure of the invention. The figures show a bodyportion 72 of a vehicle which has sufficient height to accommodate threelevels or carts. The vehicle body portion might, for example, be thetrailer of a semi-trailer vehicle. The outboard track members 74 and 76on one side and 78 and 80 on the other side, are mounted directly to theside walls 82 and 84 respectively, of the vehicle body portion. Theinboard tracks 86 and 88 on the one side and 90 and 92 on the other arecarried on vertical members 94 and 96 respectively. There are aplurality of supporting members along the longitudinal length of thevehicle body as can be seen in FIG. 1 1. The track members may be brokenup into a plurality of sections for ease of handling and two suchsections are illustrated in FIG. 11, the track 86 comprising sections 97and 98 and the track 88 comprising sections 100 and 102. The tracks ofFIG. 11 are shown in the supporting position with the vertical supportmember 94 being carried by a longitudinal retainer bar 99. The verticalmember is carried on the bar by a hook member 104 and the lower end ofthe vertical support member is restrained from side to side motion by aretaining channel 106. Similarly, the phantom line shows the supportingposition for vertical support member 96 being carried on a retaining bar108 and received in a retaining channel 110. In the stowed position,which is illustrated by the right hand full line view of verticalsupport member 96, the vertical support memberis carried on alongitudinal storage bar 107 which is elevated a distance relative tolongitudinal bar 108 to provide clearance for the track members 90 and92, so that they nest within side mounted tracks 80 and 78 respectively.In the stowed location, the vertical support members are prevented fromside to side movement by a storage rib 112. Similarly, the verticalsupport members 94 are prevented from the same side to side movement bystorage ribs 1 14.

If sufficient vehicle width was available for three rows of carts,additional tracks could be carried on the vertical support members so asto provide support for centrally located levels of carts. However, inthe illustrated embodiment, the vehicle width is insufficient to allowfor that quantity of carts, and the central portion of the vehicle istherefore available for the storage of conventional cargo. The stowedposition of the support members is intended to make substantially theentire vehicle interior available for such conventional cargo, or, asillustrated, the vehicle can be operated with one series of containersupports in place and the other stowed.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 9, there is illustrated a loadingelevator mechanism which is utilizable with both embodiments of theinvention. The elevator mechanism, indicated generally at 116, includesa plurality of tracks 118, mounted at either side of the rear entranceportion to the vehicle body. The tracks comprise generally U-shapedmembers with their open sides facing outward. The tracks receiverotatably a plurality of wheels carried on frame 122. The frame isconnected through a hinge 124 to the cart receiving platfonn 126.

The platform has an extended position, which is illustrated in FIG. 7,and is maintained in a horizontal position by a flange 128 carrying astop 130, which engages frame 122 to prevent travel of the platform pastthe horizontal position. Transition of a wheeled cart, for example, fromthe ground or other flat surface, is accomplished through the use of apivotally attached ramp 129. For stowage, the platform is raised fromits horizontal position to a vertical position, illustrated in FIG. 9,and retained by suitable latches or locks (not shown). Ramp 129 also isin a vertical orientation when stowed and the elevator frame is raisedto the position illustrated so as to provide adequate ground clearancefor the vehicle.

The elevator is raised or lowered through the use of a plurality ofcables 132 affixed to frame 122 that travel vertically upward to pulleys134 and then down to a hoist mechanism (not shown) such as a hydraulicjack or electric winch. For convenience this jack or winch may belocated under the truck body.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the elevator platform 126 is illustrated inan elevated position adjacent a track member 44. Without specialprovision, there exists a gap between the end of the platform 126 andthe beginning of the track 144 which would make it difficult, orimpossible, to roll a wheeled container from the platform to the tracks.The gap is necessary to provide clearance for the roll top door or otherdoor type which is carried in track 136. A transition ramp 138 isprovided to bridge the gap, and has a retracted position, shown in solidlines, in which its outboard end 140 is clear of the tracks for the rolltop door. It may be extended by sliding along supporting track 44 so asto come in juxtaposition with the platform.

In use, an empty vehicle, incorporating the structure of the invention,is backed up to the immediate proximity of the loading area and theelevator platform, moved from its vertical or stowed position, to itshorizontal position. The elevator platform is then raised or lowered soas to bring it to an appropriate level for loading. In facilitiesutilizing a loading dock, the elevator level would be at dock level, orif desired the truck may be backed up against the dock and the elevatorutilized at slightly above dock level. If the facility being servicedhas no loading dock, the elevator is lowered to its lowest position, inproximity to the ground, and the ramp 129 lowered into ground contact.This is the position illustrated in FIG. 7. The wheeled carts may thenbe rolled onto the platform and arranged side by side in approximatealignment with the center line between opposing pairs of tracks. Whenthe carts are in position, the elevating mechanism is actuated, and theplatform raised to, for example, the highest level. The transition rampis then extended to the immediate proximity of the terminal end of theplatform, and the carts may be rolled onto the track members. Theelevator is then lowered, and the process repeated, with the carts beingadded to each level, being used to force the existing cam on that levelfurther within the vehicle body until the level is entirely full ofcarts. The remaining levels of tracks, including the floor level, arethen filled with carts.

Withe the vehicle at capacity, the transition ramps are moved to theirretracted position and the roll top door lowered and secured. Theelevator platform may then be raised to its vertical or stowed positionand latched in that position. Finally, the elevator is raised to theground clearing position illustrated in FIG. 9.

When filled in the described manner, the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in FIG. 2 would have two levels and three rows of carts,each row containing three carts so that the entire vehicle capacitywould be 18 carts. The modification of FIG. 3 would reduce the vehiclecapacity to 12 carts but would provide for the carrying of considerableconventional cargo between the two track support structures. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. provides for three levels of carts in tworows and also has a considerable vehicle volume available forconventional cargo between the vertical support members 94 and 96.

The unloading of the vehicle proceeds in a manner substantially similarto the reverse of the loading process, and when emptied of wheeledcontainers, the vehicle is ready for an additional load, or may beconverted to a substantially open configuration for the transporting ofconventional cargo.

The conversion from containers to conventional cargo is accomplished,with the supporting structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, in amost efficient and expeditious manner without the use of any tools. Eachsection of track and associated track support members is lowered fromits supporting position to its stowed position by first retractingextension 34 within the legs, and then pivoting the legs into alignmentwith the track supporting members. The track supporting member andassociated parts may then be lowered into the vertical or stowedposition, as is illustrated in the full line view in FIG. 5. Eachsucceeding track on both sides of the vehicle is lowered in a similarmanner, until all sections are lowered. The vehicle interior is then.substantially clear, and very little volume reduction is experienced, sothat substantially the original cargo capacity of the vehicle isretained.

The operation of the second embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11 involves the movement of the vertical support membersfrom the supporting position to their stowed position. The track membersare sectioned along their length so as to break the total length of thetrack up into manageable segments. The operator merely raises thesection upon which he is working, a sufficient distance for the hook toclear the supporting bar and the bottom end portion of the verticalmember to clear the retaining channel.

The section is then moved toward the center of the vehicle where it maybe pivoted about its lower end to allow the hook 104 to clear thesupporting bar. The entire structure is then moved to the side and thehook member again raised a sufficient distance so that the end portionclears the storage rib,-whereupon the hook member is lowered intoengagement with the storage bar. The operation is continued in a similarmanner for all segments, on both sides of the vehicle, until the entiretrack portion is in the stowed position and the vehicle is substantiallyunobstructed throughout its entire volume. It is then possible to carrysubstantially the original capacity of the vehicle in conventionalcargo.

Having described my invention, I now claim.

1. A vehicle loading and storage system for loading and storingcontainers within the body of a vehicle comprising,

track means for storing at least one additional level of containersabove a level of containers supported on the floor of said vehicle body,

elevator means for raising containers from at least the floor level ofsaid vehicle to said additional level,

said track means having at least one row,

each of said rows being capable of supporting a plurality of containers,

said track means having a supported position and a stowed position,

said stowed position making substantially the entire interior of saidvehicle open for cargo,

said track means being foldable from said supporting to said stowedposition by pivoting around a plurality of pivots mounted on thesidewalls of said vehicle,

said track means including a foldable leg and comprising "at least apair of generally L-shaped channels mounted on track supporting membersand having a first leg thereof in a horizontal orientation when saidtrack means is in said supporting position, and a second leg of saidL-shaped channel being located on the outside of said channel and saidpair being in a vertical orientation when said track supporting memberis in said supporting position,

said second leg of said channels being spaced by a distance slightlygreater than the width of said container,

said tracks including a third L-shaped channel mounted in the end ofeach of said track supporting members and spaced by a distance slightlygreater than a cart, whereby a third cart is carried between opposedfolding portions of said track means. t t t IF

1. A vehicle loading and storage system for loading and storingcontainers within the body of a vehicle comprising, track means forstoring at least one additional level of containers above a level ofcontainers supported on the floor of said vehicle body, elevator meansfor raising containers from at least the floor level of said vehicle tosaid additional level, said track means having at least one row, each ofsaid rows being capable of supporting a plurality of containers, saidtrack means having a supported position and a stowed position, saidstowed position making substantially the entire interior of said vehicleopen for cargo, said track means being foldable from said supporting tosaid stowed position by pivoting around a plurality of pivots mounted onthe sidewalls of said vehicle, said track means including a foldable legand comprising at least a pair of generally L-shaped channels mounted ontrack supporting members and having a first leg thereof in a horizontalorientation when said track means is in said supporting position, and asecond leg of said L-shaped channel being located on the outside of saidchannel and said pair being in a vertical orientation when said tracksupporting member is in said supporting position, said second leg ofsaid channels being spaced by a distance slightly greater than the widthof said container, said tracks including a third L-shaped channelmounted in the end of each of said track supporting members and spacedby a distance slightly greater than a cart, whereby a third cart iscarried between opposed folding portions of said track means.